Cash-filled Mexican plane crashes in Ecuador

Two dead after light aircraft crashes outside seaside town of Pedernales with lots of money on board.

PEDERNALES, ECUADOR (MAY 14, 2012) (ECTV) - Police in Ecuador were sifting through the wreckage of a Mexican plane on Monday (May 14), after it crashed the previous night outside the seaside town of Pedernales, killing two.

Authorities confirmed that large quantities of cash were found on board the light aircraft and the case was being investigated.

Local police chief Ulises Parreno was among those on the scene.

"There is a certain amount of money inside the plane that we have not been able to quantify," said Parreno.

Residents said the plane took them by surprise.

"The plane passed very close to my house. It came making a huge sound and at an unexpected speed," said Angel Cevallos, a Pedernales locals.

Other witnesses told local media that the plane was flying very low and without lights, sparking rumours that it may have been trying to travel under radar and could be connected to drug trafficking or money laundering.

At a news conference in Quito, Javier Cordoba, Ecuador's Deputy Minister for Internal Security, said investigations were underway.

"As you know, it happened yesterday during the night. We are investigating it. As soon as we have any information, we will let you know," said Cordoba.